With regard to narrow passes, if you can occupy them first, let them be strongly garrisoned and await the advent of the enemy.

There are not more than five primary colours, yet in combination they produce more hues than can ever been seen.

The relative size of your force as against that of your adversary is by itself of no consequence. What controls is the relative size of your force at the point where you join in battle. You can strike with the few and be many if you strike your adversary in his gaps. Seek out places where the defense is not strict, the place not tightly guarded, the generals weak, the troops disorderly, the supplies are scarce and the forces are isolated.

When he pretends to flee, do not pursue.

He must be able to mystify his officers and men by false reports and appearances, and thus keep them in total ignorance.

In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy's country whole and intact; to shatter and destroy it is not so good.

Bring war material with you from home, but forage on the enemy... use the conquered foe to augment one's own strength.